Ex-marine’s butcher’s bike challenge

Ex-Royal Marine and Special Forces veteran Nigel Thomas with his 1947 butcher's bike

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A former serviceman who got on his bike as part of a bid to raise £1m for charity travelled through Tyneside yesterday.

Nigel Thomas, a special forces veteran, is riding a single gear 1940s’ butcher’s bike from Land’s End to John O’Groats and yesterday set out from Newcastle Falcons’ Kingston Park ground, on Brunton Road, Newcastle, before heading on to Morpeth, Berwick and Eyemouth in the latest leg of the journey.

Mr Thomas, who served in the Royal Marines and the special forces, is undertaking the gruelling 1,027-mile challenge to help raise money for Team Army, Hire a Hero, Walk on Wales and the Ray Gravell Trust.

He said: “We all rely upon our soldiers to be there when we need them.

“I’m doing this for all the boys and girls in the forces who need our help now – a chance to play the sports that are so vital to their physical and mental wellbeing, to find a job after leaving the military or perhaps help recovering from injury or illness.”

See www.uk.virginmoney giving.com/Butchers BikeChallenge if you would like to sponsor Mr Thomas, or text TBBC14 with the amount you would like to donate to 70070.